French rider Duval provisionally suspended

21-year-old Aurélien Duval of la Française des Jeux has been advised by the UCI that he has been provisionally suspended after returning a positive sample during the Circuit Franco-Belge stage race on October 1st. According to a UCI communication the WADA accredited lab in Gent, Belgium reported an “Adverse Analyical Finding” of Norfenfluramine in a urine sample collected from him at the race.

Duval is a second-year pro for the French team, whose biggest result to date was third in the 1.2 ranked Grand Prix des Marbriers in 2008. His best finishing position in the Circuit Franco-Belge was 98th on stage 4; he finished the race in 123rd position, 24 minutes and 38 seconds behind Garmin-Slipstream winner Tyler Farrar.

Norfenfluramine is a serotonin-releasing agent and is often used as an appetite suppressant in attempts to lose or regulate weight.

Duval will remain provisionally suspended pending being seen by a hearing panel from the French Cycling Federation. He has yet to request analysis of the ‘B’ sample.